Presenting Sponsors are WSVN Channel 7, Celebrity Cruises and Gilda
Miami, Florida, Feb. 20, 2018— Best Buddies International, a groundbreaking nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is excited to announce the Best Buddies Friendship Walk: South Florida on Saturday, March 17 at Museum Park in Downtown Miami. The Best Buddies Friendship Walk: South Florida is the latest life-changing movement. Since 2009 more than 200,000 participants have walked in over 30 states and raised more than $16 million for Best Buddies.
“Our Friendship Walks are one of Best Buddies’ most celebrated events, bringing communities together where they can experience our mission in action and engage with our program participants,” said Anthony K. Shriver, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Best Buddies International. “It is so inspirational to see so much enthusiasm for the Best Buddies mission in South Florida. The participants significantly impact the lives of those with special abilities, and the employer partners in this community have empowered these individuals, and are actively making not just South Florida, but the world, a more inclusive place.”
The event will bring together some of South Florida’s most notable residents and celebrity supporters. Among those expected to attend this year includes Former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine; Hip-Hop Artist Fat Joe; Pop Artist Romero Britto, WSVN Anchor Craig Stevens, who will MC the walk, 2018 Miss Teen Florida and 2018 Miss Florida; and many more.
Best Buddies South Florida is proud to have 2,500 (and counting) participants lacing up their shoes to walk for inclusion, all working towards surpassing 2017’s fundraising goal of $500,000. Registration begins at 8 a.m., the one mile competitive run begins at 9 a.m. and the walk commences at 10 a.m. at Museum Park in Downtown Miami, 1075 Biscayne Boulevard. Following the walk, please join Best Buddies for a day of fun, family, fitness, and friendship.
This year’s Best Buddies Friendship Walk: South Florida will have a one mile competitive run for the first time. Over 75 people are expected to participate in the inaugural race.
Proceeds from the Friendship Walk are fundamental in supporting state programs that provide one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development. These programs can be found in all 50 states and will create promising opportunities for more than 350,000 people this year.
Walk for inclusion. Walk for friendship. Walk for a better South Florida.
This year’s Best Buddies Friendship Walk in South Florida sponsors and corporate partners include: Mastercard, Turnberry & Associates, Value Store It, Royal Media Partners, Holland & Knight, City of North Bay Village, Inktel, Independent Purchasing Cooperative, Starwood Property Trust, City of Hialeah, Gray|Robinson, Carlton Fields, Boies Schiller & Flexner, Celebrity Cruises, South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine, Gilda, WSVN Channel 7, Nordstrom, Tusk Ventures, Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables, Valuation Services Inc.,Ten-X Commercial Real Estate, Duane Morris, Pirtle Construction, FedEx, and TUUCI.
ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 2,300 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ eight formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies® , Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters — engage participants in each of the 50 states and in nearly 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 1.1 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or twitter.com/bestbuddies.
For more information about the Walk and Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact:
Joshua Tessier
305.374.2233, ext. 211
For media inquiries (including requests for credentials):
Nicole Maddox
305-374-2233, ext. 343
Amaury Sablon
305-374-2233, ext. 362
